New Delhi, May 11: Country's 23 top defence scientists, including P Venugopalan, leading designer of propulsion system for Prithvi, Agni and Brahmos missiles and G M Cleetus, who developed India man-portable battlefield surveillance system, were decorated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapayee today. Also on the honours list were Y P Pathak, the scientists who has developed Sarvarta, Indian Army's multi hop, multi-span bridging system, which after being inducted into Indian armed forces is on the verge of winning export orders.
Pathak along with Venugopalan were among 10 academicians awarded the prestigious scientists of the year award. Dr G M Cleetus and his team who were decorated with Agni award for excellence in self reliance developed the world class mobile surveillance system, which won the Indian Army contract in face of stiff international competition. The army after evaluation trials has ordered 1171 number of these radars which would be used in Jammu and Kashmir.
Veteran defence scientists and country's leading expert on tanks, M Natarajan was honoured with the technology leadership award, the father of the Indian main battle tank Arjun. Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, Bangalore, where pioneering work has been done on developing the Indra, Rajendera and battlefield surveillance system radars was declared the best DRDO laboratory bagging the prestigious silicon trophy.
The titanium trophy was won by Snow and Avalanche Study School, Chandigarh. Bureau Report